Cathode-ray tube mounting structures



Aug. 7, 1956 C. E. CADY CATHODE-RAY TUBE MOUNTING STRUCTURES Filed May25, 1953 Inv enf or Charles E. Cadg His Attorney.

United States Patent CATHODE-RAY TUBE MOUNTING STRUCTURES Charles E.Cady, North Syracuse, N. Y., assignor to General Electric Company, acorporation of New York Application May 25, 1953, Serial No. 357,158

2 Claims. (Cl. 24827) The present invention relates generally tostructures for mounting cathode-ray tubes and the like, and moreparticularly it relates to an improved structure for mounting acathode-ray tube, or similar device having a viewing screen, behind aviewing window. It has particular utility as means for mounting acathode-ray type picture tube behind the viewing window in the facepanel of a television receiver cabinet.

It is a generally acceptedtpractice to mount television picture tubesbehind and in close proximity to the viewing window of a televisionreceiver face panel or cabinet wall, or the like, in such manner thatthe wall portions adjacent the picture tube viewing screen serve to maskthe edges of the viewing screen, thereby defining the viewing format ofthe screen. Frequently, the window area is further defined by a separateviewing mask of plastic, rubber, or metal, for example, that isinterposed between the cabinet wall and the picture tube.

It is readily apparent that in such installations it is desirable toprovide means for mounting the picture tube firmly and securely inposition in such manner that neither the vibration nor shock impulsesencountered in shipping mounted tubes from their place of assembly tothe consumer, nor those attendant upon ordinary use, and other handlingof such assemblies will displace the tube from its position or cause itto fracture.

One difficulty encountered in the mass production assembly ofcathode-ray tubes in television receiver cabinets is that there is oftena noticeable variation in the dimensions of individual cathode-ray tubeshaving a common viewing screen size.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention, to provide animproved, adjustable structure for clamping a cathode-ray tube inposition behind a viewing window and which is adaptable for clampingtubes of various dimensions.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an improvedclamping structure for clamping cathode-ray tubes behind a viewingwindow and which is simple and inexpensive to produce and which itselfis readily adaptable to mass production fabrication.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide animproved structure for clamping a cathode-ray tube behind a viewingwindow and which provides a firm, positive supporting pressure to thecathode-ray tube that is distributed over a comparatively large area ofthe tube surface.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide animproved structure for mounting a cathoderay tube behind a viewingwindow and which may be easily assembled and disassembled.

It is an even further object of the present invention to provide animproved structure for mounting a cathode ray tube in a televisionreceiver cabinet which provides a relatively shock-proof mounting forsafely transporting the assembled receiver.

Briefly stated, in accordance with one aspect of the present inventionthere is provided a mounting cradle 2,757,889 Patented Aug. 7, 1956formed of a plurality of fiat, flexible, unstretchable straps which restupon the flared bowl portion of a cathode-ray tube to be held inposition. The ends of each of the straps are affixed to clamping platemembers and the straps are tensioned against the tube by non-extensiblescrew tensioning draw bars arranged to engage the clamping plates andcorresponding brackets mountedon the face panel of the televisioncabinet. The holding force is exerted against the bowl portion of thetube and is evenly distributed over the flared bowl portion so that thestrap lies fiat along the contour of the tube bowl, thereby holding thetube securely behind the viewing window.

For additional objects and advantages, and for a beter understanding ofthe invention, attention is now directed to the following descriptionand accompanying drawings. The features of the invention which arebelieved to be novel are particularly pointed out in the appendedclaims.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a plan view, partly in cross section, of a portion of atelevision receiver including a cathode-ray tube held in place by meansof a mounting structure constructed in accordance with the teachings ofthe present invention;

Fig. 2 is a side, elevational view of the structure shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an exploded, perspective view of a portion of the mountingstructure shown in Figs. 1 and 2;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged, cross-sectional view of a portion of the mountingstructure shown in Fig. 2 taken along the lines 44 of that figure;

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the structure shown in Fig. 2 takenalong the lines 55 of that figure; and

Fig. 6 is a plan view, partly in cross section, of a portion of atelevision receiver including a modified version of the cathode-ray tubemounting arrangement shown in Fig. 1.

In the various figures, similar elements bear the same numericaldesignations.

Referring now to Fig. 1, there is shown a cathode-ray tube generally atI, mounted in a television receiver cabinet that is indicated generallyat 2, and which may be constructed of wood, plastic or other familiarcabinet material. The front portion, or face panel 3 of the cabinet 2 isprovided with an aperture defining a viewing window 4 through which thecathode-ray tube may be viewed. Adjacent the inner periphery of thecabinet aperture or window 4 there is provided a mask 5 which may be ofany suitable material, such as rubber, plastic, or in some cases, metal,and which is provided with an aperture which more precisely defines theviewing area of the cathode-ray tube 1. The mask 5 may also serve toprovide a further degree of shock-proof mounting between the face panel3 and the tube 1, particularly where it is formed of rubber, as shown.

Although it is understood that it is common practice to mount a safetyglass panel in front of the viewing screen of cathode-ray tubes mountedin television receivers in order to guard the viewer against the hazardsof implosion of the tube, for purposes of simplicity, none is shown inthe present illustration.

In accordance with the invention, the cathode-ray tube 1 is supportedfrom the front portion of the cabinet 2. To this end, the tube 1 is heldfirmly behind the aperture 4 as defined by the cabinet facepanel 3 andthe mask 5, by means of a cradle structure comprising a pair of flexiblestraps 6 having sufiicient tensilestrength to secure the tube 1 firmlyin place, and which may preferably be steel or light metal which willnot stretch appreciably either in transit or during normal use, not beadversely affected by the operating temperatures of the televisionreceiver. The ends of the flexible cradle straps 6 are affixed to acommonpair of supporting assemblies 7.

Referring now to Fig. 2, it may be seen that each of the supportingassemblies 7 comprises a clamping plate member 8, a draw bar 9, and asupporting lug 10. The clamping plate 8 is adapted and arranged toreceive the draw bar 9 for engaging the cabinet wall 3 adjacent theviewing area. The draw bar 9 is shown as preferably having a hookedportion 11 for removably engaging the corresponding supporting bracketor lug which is aflixed to the back of the cabinet wall 3 adjacent theviewing area. Each of the supporting lugs 10 preferably includes a metalplate or strap portion 12 which may be affixed to the cabinet face paneland held in parallel relation thereto by means of a pair of screws (notshown) or the like, and carrying a transverse portion 13 that is drilledto receive the draw bar hook 11. It is believed apparent that where themask portion of the viewing window is composed of metal or similarstructurally rigid material, it is entirely within the scope of theinvention to afiix the draw bar supporting member 10 to this portion foradditional rigidity. In such case, it may nevertheless be consideredthat the supporting member is affixed to the face panel.

The draw bar 9 is preferably fastened to the clamping plate member 8 byinserting it through an aperture 14 therein, by thence seating a lockwasher 15 thereon, and drawing the assembly tightly into position bymeans of a suitable nut 16.

As illustrated more clearly in Fig. 3, the clamping member 8 preferablycomprises a flanged, channel-shaped member which may be readily formedfrom a unitary piece of sheet metal. The channel or re-entrant portion17 of the clamping member 8 is of sutficient cross-section, and adaptedand arranged to receive the draw bar 9 for tensioning the assembledmounting structure against the cathode-ray tube 1 which, in turn, isheld firmly against the periphery of the viewing window 4. One of theends of each of the two flexible straps 6 is fastened to the flangeportion 18 of each of the clamping members 8 in conventional manner asby a pair of rivets 19, as shown more clearly in Fig. 4. Although incertain insulations it may be desirable to employ rivets having flatheads and to counter-sink them in order to provide a flush surfacefacing the cathode-ray tube 1, in other cases, a resilient pad 20 offoam rubber or the like, as shown, may advantageously be secured to theinner-flange surface of the clamping member 8 in order to provide aneven, shockproof contact between the clamping member 20 and the glasswall portion 21 of a cathode-ray tube to be held in position. In thelatter case it is unnecessary to provide an otherwise flush surface andthe rivet edge may protrude a small amount beyond the inner surface ofthe clamping member 8. Such an arrangement has the advantage ofrequiring less critical tolerances and workmanship in manufacturing andassembling the structure.

As shown best in Fig. 2, each of the straps 6 preferably is aflixed tothe plate member 8 at an acute angle at with respect to the tensioningaxis of the draw bar 9 that is preferably of the order of 30-60 in orderto provide holding components that tend to stabilize the tube 1 againstmovement transverse to the tensioning axis as well as against movementalong this axis relative to the face panel 3. In a preferred embodimentthe angle or was found to be approximately 45. Preferably, each of thestraps 6 should be applied to its appropriate plate member 8 atapproximately the same angle in order to equalize the holding forcestransverse to the tensioning axis. Thus, in the preferred embodimentreferred to above, the angle 20: between each of the straps 6 atfixed tothe same plate member 8 was found to be approximately 90.

As shown, more clearly in Fig. 5, when the mounting structure isassembled and tensioned against the cathoderay tube, the strap portions6 follow closely along the contour of the wall portion 21 of thecathode-ray tube to be held in position. Thus, a smooth, even pressuremay be applied to the surface of the cathode-ray tube for mounting itbefore a viewing window, which nevertheless provides a comparativelylarge holding force distributed evenly over the surface of the tube andhaving force components in many directions, thereby securing the tubefrom either lateral, vertical, or longitudinal movement during shipmentor otherwise.

Referring now to Fig. 6, there is shown a portion of a televisionreceiver cabinet including a face panel shown generally at 2 having anopening therein defining a viewing window 4, behind which is mounted acathode-ray tube 1. A safety glass panel 25 is mounted in the viewingwindow 4 and preferably is held in position by sandwiching it betweenthe face panel 2 and a generally annular metal mask shown generally at26. More precisely, the mask 26 includes a somewhat frustro-conicalportion 27, having an outer area that corresponds generally to the areaof the aperture 4 in the face panel 2 and tapering inwardly to providean inner area whose dimensions correspond to the desired viewing formatof the picture tube 1. The mask 26 is preferably provided with a flangedportion 28 to insure evenly distributed contact between the mask 26 andthe perimeter of the glass panel 25. In order further to insure thateven contact is maintained between the glass panel 25 and both the facepanel 2 and the mask 26 the perimeter of the glass panel 25 ispreferably provided with a gasket member 29 of rubber or the like, asshown. The mask 26 preferably includes a generally cylindrical portion30 having a circumferential configuration generally like that of thetube 1 and affixed to the flanged portion 27 in conventional manner, asby spot welding as shown. Another gasket member 31 is preferablyinterposed between the tube 1 and the cylindrical portion 30 of the mask26. The second gasket 31 may either take the form of a continuous stripof rubber or the like or it may comprise, in certain installations, aseries of rubber grommets which may be affixed to the cylindricalportion 30 either by a suitable adhesive or by insertion in suitableholes provided therein.

In the assembled state, the tube 1 is held in position behind the window4 by means of the flexible straps 6 and the supporting assemblies 7, asillustrated in Figs. 1 and 2. By drawing the nuts 16 on the draw bar 9which are aflixed to the supporting lug 10 the tube 1 is drawn intoposition behind the window 4 thus sand- Wiching the safety glass panel25 and the mask 26 therebetween. The generally cylindrical portion 30serves to prevent lateral movement of the tube 1 with respect to thewindow 4 while the mask 26, in addition to serving the same function asthe mask 5 shown in the preceding figures, also serves to provide aconvenient means for holding the safety glass firmly and securely in itscorrect position before the viewing area of the tube 1.

While specific embodiments have been shown and described, it will ofcourse be understood that various modifications may be made withoutdeparting from the principles of the invention. The appended claims aretherefore intended to cover any such modifications within the truespirit and scope of the invention.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the UnitedStates is:

1. A mounting structure for a cathode-ray tube behind a face panelhaving an aperture in which the tube is adapted to seat comprising firstand second clamping plate members, each of said clamping plate membershaving a centrally located channel and flanges on each side of saidchannel, first and second brackets adapted to be fastened to said facepanel on diametrically opposite sides of the aperture, each of saidbrackets having a transverse portion having holes therein, first andsecond drawbars, each of said drawbars having a hook at one end and athreaded portion at the other end, said first drawbar having its hookedend inserted in the hole in the transverse portion of said firstbracket, its threaded end inserted through said channel in said firstclamping plate member, a first nut threaded in said threaded end of saidfirst drawbar, said second drawbar having its hooked end inserted in thehole in the transverse portion of said second bracket, its threaded endinserted through said channel in said second clamping plate member and anut threaded onto the threaded end of said second drawbar, a firstflexible substantially unstretchable strap, means for non-pivotallysecuring one end of said strap to one of said flanges on one side of thechannel of said first clamping plate member, means for securing theother end of said first flexible substantially unstretchable strap tothe flange on the same side of the channel of said second clamping platemember, a second flexible substantially unstretchable strap, means fornon-pivotally securing one end of said second flexible substantiallyunstretchable strap to the other flange of said first clamping platemember, and means for nonpivotally securing said other end of saidsecond flexible substantially unstretchable strap to the other flange ofsaid second clamping plate member, said first and second straps beingaffixed to said plate members at substantially right angles relative toeach other.

2. A cathode-ray tube assembly comprising a face panel having an openingtherein, a cathode-ray tube having a large cup-shaped end, a relativelynarrow neck portion and a flared bulbous portion connecting said largeend and said neck portion, first and second brackets secured to oppositesides of the opening on the inner face of said face panel, first andsecond clamping plates, a first adjustable member connected to saidfirst bracket for securing said first clamping plate member to saidpanel and for adjusting the distance between said first clamping platemember and said first bracket, said first adjustable member beingadjusted so that said first clamping plate member rests on the side ofsaid large cupshaped end of said cathode-ray tube, a second adjustablemember connected to said second bracket for securing said secondclamping plate member to said panel and for adjusting the distancebetween said second clamping plate member and said second bracket, saidsecond adjustable member being adjusted so that said second clampingplate member rests on the side of said large cup-shaped end of saidcathode-ray tube, a first flexible substantially unstretchable strap,means for securing one endrof said strap to one end portion of saidfirst clamping plate member, means for securing the other end of saidfirst strap to the same end portion of said second clamping platemember, a second flexible substantially unstretchable strap, means forsecuring one end of said second strap to the other end portion of saidfirst clamping plate member, means for securing the other end of saidsecond strap to the other end portion of said second clamping platemember, said straps being aflixed to said plate members at substantiallyright angles relative to each other, said first and second straps beingin contact with the flared bulbous portion of said cathoderay tubesubstantially throughout their lengths whereby adjusting said meansconnecting said brackets and said clamping plate members may cause saidfirst and second straps to force the large end of said cathode-ray tubeagainst said face panel.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS844,321 Boyer Feb. 19, 1907 2,402,682 Shriro et al June 25, 19462,481,755 Jones Sept. 13, 1949 2,484,345 Hinz n Oct. 11, 1949 2,563,698Whitebread Aug. 7, 1951 2,565,327 Shaw Aug. 21, 1951 2,585,072 AlexyFeb. 12, 1952 FOREIGN PATENTS 578,789 Great Britain July 11, 1946

